Wildest Dreams: A Small Town, Single Dad Romance (The Wilds of Montana Book 3)
Chapter 18

I’m supposed to be working.

We’re headed home after a long day of fashion houses wooing my girl, showing her new items and offering them all to her, and Polly trying things on and taking her time to ponder what she truly wanted for her closet.

The little worry lines between her eyebrows were adorable as she considered, then finally decided on several items from each house.

She didn’t go crazy, and I like to think that’s because she was being practical, not because she was worried about spending my money.

When all was said and done, I even walked away with some new shoes, some shirts, and a jacket. I think Polly slipped a belt in there somewhere, too.

I think she had more fun shopping for me than she did for herself.

And, of course, rather than work like I’m supposed to, I’m sitting here at the desk on this plane, watching Polly sleep twenty feet away from me. She curled up on the bed not long after we ate and has been out cold ever since. Her deep red hair fans out behind her, and her hands are curled up under her chin as she lies on her side and dreams.

I want to wrap myself behind her and join her, but it’s time that I pay attention to my work, so I sigh, take my glasses off to rub my eyes, then replace them and open my email.

Jesus, there are over a thousand unread files.

So, I dial Arthur’s number.

“Sir?” He sounds surprised. “I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow. Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything’s fine. We’re headed back to Montana, and I just opened my email. Arthur, there are more than a thousand unread messages. I’m going to need some help.”

“I can do that,” he says immediately. “But before we continue, may I just ask, did you and Polly enjoy yourselves in Paris?”

I glance over to where Polly rests and feel my heart go to mush. “Yeah. We had a great time.”

“Good. Listen, sir⁠—”

“How long have we worked together, Arthur?”

He’s silent for a moment, and then, “About a dozen years, I suppose.”

“Don’t you think it’s time you called me Ryan?”

I hear him clear his throat on the other end. “Perhaps, once we reach fifteen years. Now then, I owe you an apology.”

I frown. “You do?”

“Yes, sir, for the way I behaved a couple of months ago, during your trip. I said some things on the plane that were unacceptable and out of line.”

“Yes, you did.”

“Well, I apologize for that. If you need to back off from work, that’s none of my business.”

“No, it’s not. Look, Arthur, thanks for the apology. We’ve worked together for a long time, and I know that my life is shifting a bit. I have a child and a woman and a home that I actually love. And while I do care deeply about Wild Enterprises, there will be times that it’s not my first and only priority.”

“I understand,” he says, and from the tone of his voice, I can tell that he really does understand. “And, for what it’s worth, I’m happy for you. Now, aside from the email, how can I help?”

I run down a few more things that Arthur can see to while we’re in the air, and after we hang up, I take a sip of water.

“You know,” Polly says softly from the bed, her still-sleepy eyes blinking lazily, “I always replace you very attractive, but I have to admit, the billionaire boss might be my favorite.”

I tip up an eyebrow and grin at her. “Is that so?”

“Yeah. You’ve got your shirtsleeves rolled up, and it’s well-known that forearm muscles are to die for. You’re wearing those sexy glasses, and your hair is kind of messed up from running your fingers through it. You have this serious look on your face as you stare at the computer, and add to it, you’re riding in this fancy plane that you own, and yeah…hot billionaire boss.”

“It’s such a relief to me that you approve.”

She smirks but doesn’t move to join me, and suddenly, the twenty feet between us feels way too distant.

“Why don’t you wear them all the time?” Polly asks when I take my glasses off and set them aside.

“Because I don’t need them all the time.”

Standing up from the desk, I stride closer to my girl. Lifting the covers off the bed, I feel both of my eyebrows climb into my hairline. “Why didn’t I know that you were naked under here?”

“You didn’t ask.” She grins and bites the tip of her tongue between her teeth as I begin to shed my own clothes. Her gaze rakes down my body, heat filling those emerald eyes as my pants slide down my hips and pool around my ankles.

She licks her lips and rolls onto her back in invitation, making me grin.

“Lift your arms over your head, and press your palms to the wall above you.”

Those eyes flare with excitement, and she does as she’s told, watching me as I cross my arms over my chest and take her in. Her soft skin is smooth, her pink nipples puckering under my perusal. Her slightly rounded belly is kissable and just freaking beautiful, leading to that magical place between her legs.

Polly bites her lip and starts to move her hands, and I pin her in a hard stare.

“I didn’t say you could move.”

“Oh, I like it when bossy Ryan takes over.”

I want to laugh at that, but I firm my jaw, gazing down at her sternly.

“Spread your pretty legs.”

Without hesitation, she complies, bending her legs at the knees and spreading herself open for my enjoyment. She’s pink there, too, and already wet as fuck.

Jesus, I want her. I never stop wanting her.

“You’re every goddamn fantasy I’ve ever had in my life, Polly.”

Her eyes widen in surprise, and finally, I can’t stand it anymore. I have to touch her. I cover her with my own body and push my hand into that thick, gorgeous red hair and fist it there, loving the way her curves fit under me. I can never get enough.

“Do you feel better after your nap?” I ask against her lips.

“I don’t know…how do I feel?” She grins and moves suggestively beneath me, making my cock harden and my pulse quicken even more than before.

“You always feel like fucking heaven,” I growl, and, unable to resist her, I urge her leg up over my hip, opening her up to me. “You’re soft and smooth, and you smell so fucking good.”

She sighs and lifts her hips in invitation, but rather than slide inside of her, I kiss her lips softly, then bite her chin.

“Keep your hands above you. Understand?”

She nods, but I shake my head.

“Use your words, beautiful girl.”

“I understand.”

“Good girl.” I kiss down her neck, to one of her breasts, and lave the nipple before suckling it into my mouth. Suddenly, her fingers are in my hair, and I pull back out of reach and glare down at her. “Do as I say or this ends.”

“You don’t have to be quite so bossy,” she pouts, but when I simply lift an eyebrow, she huffs out a breath and presses her hands to the wall above her.

“This is what you get when I’m in work mode. If you move again,” I continue as I resume kissing down her body, “I’ll spank your delicious ass.”

“You would not.”

I stare up at her and nibble her navel. “You know that I would.”

She bites her lip, but her hands don’t move as I move lower still, and when I cover her clit with my lips, her hips jerk, but those hands stay put.

“There we go,” I croon and settle myself here, between her legs, her pussy laid out before me like a fucking feast.

At first, I taunt her. Little licks, tiny nibbles, slight brushes with the tips of my fingers here and there, making her squirm and moan.

But she doesn’t move her hands.

Finally, I give in and push one finger inside of her as I lap and kiss, more deeply now, giving her what I know she wants. She sighs contentedly, and if I’m not mistaken, she whispers, “Finally,” making me grin.

I work her over with my mouth and fingers until she’s practically snarling with the need to come.

“Not yet,” I warn her.

“Please,” she begs with a whimper as her legs move restlessly, and her chest heaves, pushing those gorgeous tits up into the air. “Please, Ryan. Oh, God.”

“You’re fucking gorgeous,” I growl as I kiss up her body. I reach up and take her hands in mine, kiss them, and smile down at her. “Good girl.”

“You’re killing me.”

I slip inside of her, and her mouth opens in a wide O, her eyes on mine with pure pleasure. Jesus, I could lose myself in those emerald orbs.

“It’s never the same,” she says, frowning as I begin to move and fist my hand in that glorious fucking hair. “Just when I think I know what to expect when it comes to sex with you, it changes and shifts and freaking turns into something I never expected.”

“I know.” I cover her mouth and kiss her, moving slow and steady in and out, making love to her more sweetly than I have before. She consumes me. Every minute of every goddamn day, Polly completely consumes my every thought, my every need.

I drag my hand down her side, over her hip, and down her thigh, then lift it higher against me. Her eyes widen, and her breath comes harder.

“This,” I whisper against her lips as I move, pushing deeply into her and loving the little sounds she makes in the back of her throat. “This is mine, babe.”

My hand fists in her hair again, and I pull, exposing more of her neck to my lips.

“Ah, shit,” she groans, and I feel her pulse around my cock, like the seconds on a clock, tick tick ticking with every second, but she’s ready to come apart.

“Mine,” I repeat and feel her hovering so close to the edge of reason. I want to push her off, to send her into the stratosphere, so I push inside of her and grind against her clit, and she comes undone, crying out my name as she falls over that delicious edge.

“That’s right,” I mutter, satisfied and ready to follow her. “That’s fucking right.”

Later, as we fly toward home, I wrap Polly in my arms and kiss her hair softly. She sighs in sleep, and I want to wake her to tell her I love her so much that my heart might burst with it.

That I can’t do this life without her.

Not anymore.

Never again.

But I let her sleep and close my eyes, falling asleep with her.

“You’re staying at my place tonight,” I inform her as I drive us away from the small airport just outside of Bitterroot Valley.

“Oh, it’s no big deal⁠—”

“It’s a very big deal.” I take her hand and kiss her knuckles. “I want you with me for tonight. It’s two in the morning, and we can curl up in my bed and rest, even if we don’t sleep. I want you nearby.”

I cast her a look in the darkness of my truck, and she smiles softly at me.

“Okay, I’d like that. We can go back to real life tomorrow.”

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but this is real life.”

“It feels like something out of my wildest dreams,” she murmurs with a small laugh and settles back against the soft leather. “Have I thanked you for the past week or so?”

“Only about seventy times.”

“Seventy-one, then.” She kisses my hand now. “Thank you, Ryan Wild, for the best week of my life.”

Her sweet words fill me with happiness. “It was absolutely my pleasure. We’ll do it again next year.”

She laughs now and shakes her head.

“Let me recover from this year before we start planning the next one. I’ll have to add a new closet on to my house for everything we bought.”

If I have my way, she won’t need to. I’ll be building her a closet at my house, where she belongs.

I turn onto my road, and the gate slides open smoothly. Everything here seems quiet, and I note that Brady’s truck is in the driveway as I pull into the garage and park next to Jake’s vehicle.

“I’m going to let Jake know I’m home,” I inform Polly as she hops out of the truck. “And probably send Brady on his way, too. I’ll meet you upstairs. Make yourself at home.”

“I think I’ll hop in the shower, if that’s okay with you.”

“Whatever you need, babe.” I wink at her and kiss her softly before I open the door to the mudroom and let her precede me inside.

Polly makes her way up the stairs to my suite of rooms, and I break off to the guest room, where Brady’s bunked.

I knock on the door and open it quietly.

“It’s just me,” I say softly. “I’m home early. You’re welcome to stay, or you can head on out if you want.”

“I’ll sleep here,” he says, his voice raspy. “Everything good?”

“Had a great time,” I confirm. “Thanks for helping Jake out.”

“Love the kid,” he says simply and falls back onto the bed. “I’ll head out around six.”

“Sleep well,” I reply and back out of his room, shutting the door behind me.

Next, I make my way to my kid’s room. It smells like old pizza and stale socks when I walk inside, and it occurs to me that I missed that more than I realized.

“Brady?” Jake asks with a scowl.

“It’s me,” I say and sit on the side of his bed, folding him into my arms for a hug. “I wanted to let you know that I’m home a little early.”

“I’m glad you’re home,” he says against my shoulder. “You can tell me about it later. What time is it?”

“Two,” I reply and ruffle his hair. “Go back to sleep, and take the morning off. I’ve got the horses today.”

“Won’t argue,” Jake says and flops back onto the bed, instantly asleep. I grin and watch him for a moment, sleeping in the moonlight.

He’s such a handsome kid. In the past year that I’ve known him, he’s grown from a boy into a young man. His features are squaring off, less round and child-like. But there’s still so much kid in him.

I’m glad that I have a couple more years with him before he goes off to college.

Once inside my room, with the door behind me, I can hear the shower running in the bathroom. As I sit on the side of the bed and sigh with the contentment of being home, I realize that nothing is better than this.

“This is so lovely,” Polly says the next morning as we sit at the brand-new table in my office, eating bagels with cream cheese and fruit with a side of bacon that I found in the fridge. It was already cooked; I just had to warm it up in the microwave. “Chase did an amazing job on this table.”

“I love it,” I agree, wondering where in the hell my kid is. I told him to sleep in, but I thought he’d be up by now. I’m eager to have him in here with us.

“How were the horses?” Polly asks as she pops a grape into her mouth.

“Everyone seems fine. It’s weird not having Blossom out there,” I admit with a sigh. “And I feel bad that Jake was the one who had to handle that.”

“He did a great job,” she reminds me just as the boy himself fills the doorway of my office.

“Uh, hi,” he says with a frown, looking from Polly to me. “I didn’t think we were breaking that in yet.”

“It’s the first day.” I stand and gesture to a chair. “Sit. Eat with us. Did you stock the bacon in the fridge? Excellent and delicious idea. I’ve decided you get your brilliance from me.”

“Yeah.” He clears his throat, still not smiling and not sitting. He glances at Polly, then looks over at me and shrugs. “I think I’ll just grab something downstairs. I’m gonna go replace Russ and goof off for a while.”

“Jake—”

“Welcome home,” he says, already rushing down the hall before I can say any more.

“Well, shit,” Polly says, tears in her eyes. “I think we hurt his feelings.”

“Why?” I scowl at her and then look at the empty door again. “For fuck’s sake, it’s just breakfast.”

“At the new table, for the first time, after you’ve been gone for more than a week, Ryan. He was excited to share this with you, and instead, it was me sharing it with you.”

“That’s stupid.”

“No, it’s not stupid.” She stands and crosses to me, taking my hand in hers. “He’s just found his comfort zone here, and now I’m taking up space in it. Maybe I should stay away for a while⁠—”

“Fuck that.” I turn on her and frame her face in my hands. “You’re not staying away.”

“Why are you so angry?” She frowns up at me, and I take a second to breathe in and calm down. I hate the look of betrayal on Jake’s face, and I hate that I’m the one who put it there. She’s right, I fucked this up.

“I’m not angry.” I sigh and tip my forehead against hers. “And I’m the one who fucked up. I didn’t mention that you were here last night when I told him I was home. I ambushed him.”

“Go talk to him,” she suggests and starts to clear what’s left of our breakfast from the table. “I’m going to head home. Wait. I don’t have a car.”

“Take the Aston Martin.”

She laughs and shakes her head. “Right. I can call Summer⁠—”

“Just take the car,” I repeat. “Seriously, it’s not a big deal.”

“Fashion Week, private jets, an Aston Martin…all part of my normal life now.” She laughs and rises up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. “Okay, thanks. Just call me later.”

“Count on it.”

Polly leaves, and I text Jake to replace out where he is.

Me: Did you already leave? Polly just went home, and I’d like to talk to you.

The bubble jumps as he types out a response.

Jake: Made it to Russ’s. We’re going fishing out at Chase and Summer’s house. Be there all day, unless you need me for chores?

I shake my head and feel frustrated because I want to hang out with my kid.

Me: No chores for you today. Take the day off. But we need to talk. Mind if I join you in a bit?

Jake: Not enough bait. But it’s a free country.

If the kid was trying to hurt my feelings in return, he did a good job of it. I grab my hat and keys and hurry out to my truck and drive over to the family ranch. When I pull up to a stop at Chase’s house, Jake and Russ haven’t arrived quite yet.

“Hey,” Chase says as he comes outside. “Heard you were back. Did you have fun?”

“Yeah, it was a great trip. How’s everything on the home front?”

“Not much going on, actually. Jake texted and asked if he and Russ could come out to fish.”

“Yeah, he told me, and I came out to meet him. Need to have a talk.”

My brother’s eyes narrow. “Is he in trouble?”

“No, we just had a misunderstanding, and I need to apologize. Where’s Summer?”

“At her new shop,” he says, shoving his hands into his pockets. “She got the go-ahead to move everything in and get it decorated, and I was kicked out. She said she can handle it without me.”

“The rebuild took much longer than she thought it would. And turnabout is fair play.”

Chase frowns at me. “Huh?”

“You kicked her out of her own house while you were building it.”

Chase laughs and glances down at his boots. “Son of a bitch, I hadn’t thought of that. Yeah, she’s turned the tables on me. She’s got her girls down there helping. Should be open next week, finally. She wasn’t happy that she had to spend the entire wedding season working out of the nursery when she was supposed to be in her shop months ago.”

“Why the holdup?”

“They ran into issues, of course. I warned her that construction is almost never on time, but I was sorry to see that I was right. She did do a good job of keeping the crew in line.”

“Good for her.” I nod, and then we turn when we hear a truck coming up the driveway. “There they are.”

Jake parks next to me, and he and Russ hop out and fetch their poles out of the back.

“Hey, Uncle Chase,” Jake says with a nod. “Thanks for letting us fish.”

“You never have to ask,” Chase reminds him. “Just come on out whenever. Hey, Russ.”

“Hi, Mr. Wild,” Russ says and then turns to me. “Hey.”

“Hello. Jake, I’d like a word.”

“Fish aren’t going to catch themselves,” Jake begins, but before he can breeze past me, I catch his elbow and pull him with me over to the wraparound porch that looks out over the lake.

“Have a seat.” I gesture to one of the outdoor chairs, and Jake lowers into it. “Jake, I’m sorry.”

That has his head coming up in surprise. “What?”

“I’m sorry,” I repeat. “Why did you think I wanted to talk to you?”

“I figured you were going to make me apologize for being rude.”

“You weren’t rude.” I frown down at the deck. “You weren’t super happy, but you weren’t rude. I’m the one who owes you an apology. I didn’t mention to you that Polly slept at our place last night, and then you walked into the two of us having breakfast at our spot.”

Jake’s throat works as he swallows hard, obviously fighting to keep his emotions in check.

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not fine, buddy. You and I agreed that we’d test that table out together.”

“It’s just a table.”

“Jake.”

His lip wobbles at that single word, and I feel like a complete asshole.

“I don’t know why I’m even acting this way,” he says and brushes angrily at a tear on his cheek. “It’s just a stupid table.”

“I missed you, too,” I say softly. “And right before you came in, I told Polly that I was excited for you to join us. I’m sorry that you were taken off guard. I didn’t mean to do that to you.”

“I know.” He blows out a breath and wipes his eyes again. “I guess it surprised me, that’s all. I figured we’d have our first breakfast at the table today, but instead, Polly got to do that, and maybe I’m just being pushed out of the way.”

I gape at him. “What? Pushed out of what way?”

“I’m probably a pain in the ass,” he continues. “I mean, sure, it was fine when it was just the two of us and everything, but now you’ll want to be with her. I get it. She’s nice. I’ll be eighteen soon, and then I’ll be out of your way, so⁠—”

“Stop. Fucking. Talking.”

I’m so damn frustrated that I have to stand and pace the goddamn porch.

“I don’t even know where this is coming from. You were all for the trip to Paris. Everything seemed fine until you came to my office this morning.”

“I am fine,” he says stubbornly.

“You’re not being pushed out of the way,” I insist, my hands balled into fists. “I told you before, you’re my kid. My boy. I love you, no matter what, even when you’re being an idiot.”

“Hey!”

“You’re my family. Yeah, I have the hots for a woman, and I plan to spend some time with her. Hell, a lot of time with her, but that doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t want you around. If anything, Polly will be joining the two of us.”

“Ew.”

“Don’t be gross.” I point my finger at him, and he grins at me. “You know what I mean. Now you are being rude. Neither Polly nor myself have ever given you any reason to think that we don’t want you around. Hell, Polly asked about you every day, and when I said I hadn’t talked to you, she called you herself.”

“I know. That was kind of nice.”

“Then why would you think that we’d want to push you out?”

“Because you’ll want to be together, and maybe you’ll get married and have your own real kids, and I’ll just be a third wheel. You did something nice for me, and I’m grateful, but I’m not your real kid, and⁠—”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and decide right this minute that Jake needs a counselor. But before I can make that happen, I simply reach out to take his hand, but he flinches as if I’d hit him.

“Whoa,” I murmur and frown.

Jake licks his lips.

“Come here.” I pull him to his feet and tug him against me. “Never in this or any other lifetime is there a moment when I would lay hands on you; do you hear me?”

He nods against me.

“You are my boy, and I am not any of the people you’ve ever been with before. I’m here to protect you and to love you, and that does not include ever striking you. I’m not even mad at you. I’m concerned, and I want to make sure you’re okay.”

“I don’t think I’m okay,” he whispers against me. “I know you don’t want to hit me. I know that I’m safe with you. I don’t know why I did that.”

“Habit,” I reply grimly and take him by the shoulders so I can look him in the eye. “We’re going to get some help. For both of us.”

“Like, a therapist?”

“A therapist.”

“I don’t want to do that. The horses are my therapy.”

“Just a session or two,” I reply. “Just to work some stuff out. Because, Jake, I’m never going to intentionally hurt you, physically or emotionally. I’m very sorry for this morning, and I know Polly is, too. She cried.”

“She cried?” He looks mortified at that and pushes his hand through his hair. Shit, the kid needs a haircut. “Damn it, I didn’t mean to make her cry.”

“She cares about you almost as much as I do. So, the next time we hurt your feelings, you need to stay and tell us so. Tell us off. But give us the chance to make it right.”

He sniffs, wipes his nose on the sleeve of his green flannel shirt, and nods. “Yeah, okay. It hurt my feelings when you were eating breakfast at our table.”

“I figured that out.” I grin at him ruefully. “I’m damn sorry, Jake.”

“Okay,” he says and clears his throat. “Can I still fish with Russ, or should I go apologize to Polly?”

“You could text her,” I suggest and clap him on the shoulder. “Go fish. Russ doesn’t look like he knows what he’s doing.”

“He’s shit at casting,” Jake says with a grin. “Okay, I’ll text her. Thanks, Dad.”

“You’re welcome.”

Jake hurries off to help Russ with his casting, and Chase joins me on the porch.

“Being a father is fucking hard,” I say as we watch the boys.

“That’s what I hear,” he says, shoving his hands into his pockets. It’s a beautiful fall day, blue skies and warm, although I can feel the hint of cooler weather in the air. “You get it figured out?”

“Looks like it. For now, anyway. He expects me to drop him for the next good thing, and when I wanted to pat his shoulder, he flinched, like I’d fucking hit him.”

“Damn,” Chase whispers. “Those assholes did a number on that poor kid.”

“His bio parents did, too,” I say softly, sure that Jake can’t hear. “He hasn’t had much good in his young life.”

“Then, we’ll keep giving him the good,” Chase says, and I’m grateful for my brother and the knowledge that my family has accepted Jake to be one of theirs. “Until that’s what he’s used to.”